Global Media News

Venezuela Thought of "Jane The Virgin" Before the U.S. Did.

Did you know that The CW hit "Jane The Virgin" was a Venezuelan telenovela in 2002?

Translated to "Juana la Virgen", this telenovela is about a young lady named Juana who accidentally gets pregnant at the doctor's office due to artificial insemination. She later falls in love with the biological father, and the rest is history.

The original telenovela aired for 153 episodes, which is equivalent to seven seasons in the American television. The writers and producers in America weren't keen on having the show for seven seasons, so they picked the pace up of the storyline. Courtesy of the article "Differences Between Jane the Virgin and the Telenovela original".

What are the key differences in both shows? With all recreations, they're all not the same. With Juana, she is 23, and Jane is 17. Juana wants to study journalism, Jane currently goes to school for teaching. Other important differences include their relationship status and the vibe of the show. Courtesy of bustle.com. 

There's an increasing trend of recreating popular telenovelas, but who's behind all of recreating them? Producer Ben Silverman jumped on the idea of recreating "Juana la Virgen" and the Colombian telenovela "Yo Soy Betty la Fea". He's also producing another telenovela in the United States called "Muerjas Asesinas", which translates to "Killer Woman". This will include "Modern Family" star Sofia Vergara. This information was found from latintimes.com.

 

Rising Censorship In Venezuela Forces the Rapid Use of Online Media for News

Internet and social media sites in Venezuela have added a greater number of users per capita than any other Latin American country in the last year.  The news sites have helped fill a gap since President Nicolás Maduro's leftist government has taken over three major independent news outlets and have retaliated against critical coverage. 

After the sale of Globovision, Venezuela's last major television station critical of the government, citizens fear that their freedom of expression will be seriously censored.  The new owners are businessmen who are believed to have ties to the government of Maduro.  Carlos Lauria, a senior program coordinator at New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists, states:

"If the network changes its editorial line, tones down its criticism and aligns with the government, this will affect the freedom of expression landscape by undermining pluralism for all Venezuelans."

Venezuelan's are not following the global trend from traditional to online news media, but doing so in reaction to finding alternatives since newspapers and broadcasters are struggling to control coverage.  Ultimately, many of these newspapers are being forced to shut down.  Steep fines, pressure on advertisers, and control of printing paper has confined the mainstream press and forced many to use online media to report news.

The government hasn't been seen to be as aggressive online despite regulations against media content being extended to the internet.  Commentators and politicians have added followers on Twitter and opposition politician Maria Corina Machado has 2.1 million followers.  Alberto Ravell, the former news director Globovision, has remained defiant of the Maduro administration with his founded news website La Patilla.  Ravell said:

"The editorial line of La Patilla is to call it like it is.  We don't need paper. We don't need a broadcasting license. There's little they can do to squeeze us."

La Patilla ranks among the country's top 20 websites and reaches 1.3 million visitors monthly.  The website also attracts more traffic than websites for Globovision or Venezuela's three national newspapers.

With press freedom dying in Venezuela and the anonymity of newspaper publishers sparking accusations that the media is government controlled, online media is on the rise.  Online opposition of the government is very effective and the internet seems to be the only place Venezuelan's can speak openly while still having to be cautious of what they're saying.

Can Venezuela Media Operate With Government Threats?

Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro has been restricting media's freedom of expression by making it impossible for independent publications to report critically about his government and limiting access to newsprint.  Over the next few weeks, at least five newspapers are expected to shut down because of Maduro's policies.  El Correo del Caroní, El Impulso, El Carabobeno, El Nacional and El Regional del Zulia have all announced they will be forced to stop publishing.

After former President Hugo Chávez died in 2013, his successor, Maduro, is seen to practice similar patterns of excessive government involvement in private press affairs.  His administration monitored  the opposition media by fining outlets, enforcing licensing requirements without due process rights, and excluded certain outlets from access to public information.

Under the Restore Law, CONATEL, which is Venezuela's media regulator service, has used the law to impose massive fines on private television and print media.  With 70% of media privately-owned and just under 5% state-owned, the rest are community media organizations which are mostly pro-government.

The anticipation of these newspapers closing down only makes the journalists of Venezuela that much more angry with Maduro's rule.  Editor of La Republica newspaper of Peru, Gustavo Mohme, said:

"Once more we hold President Maduro responsible for restricting the freedom of the press and the public’s right to information, by means of a special mechanism of persecution and discrimination."

The press group urged other Latin American leaders to defend press freedom and let the newspapers operate without Maduro's limitations.  Claudio Paolillo who is the head of IAPA's free press committee  (Inter American Press Associaton) stated:

“The media are closing, and with them the hopes they keep alive as democratic bastions within the country.”

Newspapers like El Correo del Caroní announced on its website that they are forced to change its format in order to prevent "official annoyance."  The pressure and harassment against the media has gotten worse as many journalists protest against Maduro's efforts, including anti-government groups attacking public TV news stations with explosives and weapons.

The newspapers closing down are doing so due to lack of supplies and newsprint.  El Nacional in Caracas says its only has enough newsprint to publish for three months.  Tal Cual reduced its print edition from six days a week to a single weekend edition and laid off most of its staff because of government lawsuits and sinking ad money.  Media workers remain hopeful for their next government to be more tolerant and to bring back their daily newspaper.

Is Local or International Media to blame for Venezuela Uprisings?

Venezuela is in media frenzy to date. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has recently pointed fingers at international media and their reporting of activities within the country. According to an article in The Telegraph. President Maduro blames various international media for “distorting the situation in the country and making it seem like it was on the verge of a civil war.” How valid is President Maduros accusations? One can view a slide on The New York Times website. Well according to an Article on the Columbia Journalism Review website, CNN reporters were banned from Venezuela until they reissued a more appropriate story regarding Venezuela protests. Ultimately, one can argue that international media isn't exposing Venezuela but simply enlightening other countries as to what is going on in that country.

 

Global Media News Webcast #12: May 2, 2103

Media News from Brazil and South America!

Global Media News for Thursday, May 2, 2013

Global Media News is a weekly webcast covering media news from around the world.  GMN is a production of  Media Studies students from the SUNY College @ Old Westbury. 

This week on Global Media News:   "Media News from Brazil, Colombia, Peru and Venezuela"

• Argentine Media Show Down:  Kirchner vs. Clarin
• Google in Argentina
• Social Media in Brazil:  Is Brazil the Social Media Capitol of the World?
• Youth Marketing in Brazil:  Beer Flavored Ice Cream?
• Colombia or Columbia:  A Campaign to Tell the Difference.
• President Maduro vs. Globo TV: Venezuelan Media Smackdown!
• Racism on Peruvian TV:  Is 'Negro Mama' Still on the Air?

This is our last webcast of the season!   See you in September!

Subscribe Now!

Global Media News Webcast #11: April 25, 2013

Media News from the Mexico and Central America!

 

Global Media News for Thursday, April 25, 2013

 

Global Media News is a weekly webcast covering media news from around the world.  GMN is a production of  Media Studies students from the SUNY College @ Old Westbury. 

This week on Global Media News:   "Media News from Mexico, Venezuela and El Salvador"

• Venezuelan President Maduro's Twitter Account Hacked?
• Are Journalists Disappearing in El Salvador?
• Duck!  Crime Apps Warning Mexicans about Dangerous Places
• Mexican Journalists under Attack?
• Spotify Invades Mexico

Next week on GMN:   Media News from Brazil & South America.

Listen to our webcast streaming live next week on Thursday, May 2 @ 11am EST.

Can't listen live? Our next webcast of the season will be posted by 2:00pm, Thursday, May 2, 2013.

Subscribe Now!

Global Media News from Brazil & Venezuela!

 Global Media News Webcast on Brazil and Venezuela 

This week on Global Media News we are discussing the Brazilian media with a short excursion to Venezuela.

• An Introduction to the Brazilian Media
• Brazilian Newspapers:  How many Brazilians read the papers?
• Censorship in Brazil:  Too much or not enough?
• Social Media in Brazil
• Media under Chavez:  What has been the effect of the new amendments to the media laws?

This is our final webcast of the semester.  

Look for Global Media News this September when we return with our Digital Revolution edition of the Global Media News show.  

We will be bringing you the latest news about how the digital media revolution is transforming the media around the world.

Thanks for listening.